Active Listening Is Necessary To Achieve Successful Team Function

Listening is an active process that contributes to successful team function. describes listening as . The terms ‘hearing’ and ‘listening’ are used interchangeably, although they describe very different processes. as it suggests that listening demands skill and ability, this is where the difference between listening and hearing lies. ‘Hearing’ refers to the natural, physiological processes that enable listening to happen. stated that a person has no control over what they hear. Listening, however, is an active process and means paying attention, remembering and giving meaning to the speaker’s content.

Listening in a team environment is essential to achieve successful team function. Listening enables team members to share and discuss ideas, opinions and alternative solutions, leading to a broad range of knowledge that can be used for problem solving. Not listening can lead to team members being discouraged as they feel their opinion is not worthwhile. It can also create frustration and anger amongst team members as major points are missed due to miscommunication. Listening enables a team to

These could be divided into verbal and non-verbal skills. One’s proximity to the speaker is a non-verbal skill and can have an effect on active listening. Both the speaker and listener must be in the right proxemics so that the listener can hear and listen to the speaker comfortably. Gazing is another non-verbal skill that can sometimes prove challenging as the listener must maintain natural eye contact but not a forced and unnerving constant stare. There are countles other listening skills one can use to be a good listener and fortunately most research states that these skills that can be taught and developed. suggests that listening is a skill which can be and state that listening is Both ultimately agree that there are many skills involved in listening and these can, with practice, be improved